Acoustics – Anatomic or prosthetic relation – Ear and mouth
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-18
2001-12-04
Nappi, Robert E. (Department: 2837)
Acoustics
Anatomic or prosthetic relation
Ear and mouth
C181S133000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325173
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to cyclist safety accessories. More particularly this invention relates to an ear wind shield for cyclists. An ear wind shield alleviates wind roar and allows cyclists to perceive rearwardly approaching passing motor vehicles which would otherwise be imperceptible.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The inventor is an avid cyclist. Frequently he has been startled when motor vehicles have appeared two feet from the side of his bicycle. They have overtaken him from the rear. He has not seen them approaching. He has at times failed to hear even large trucks approaching. If he was aware that he was almost in the path of these potentially deadly vehicles, he would have moved over closer to the edge of the roadway. He would definitely have focused to a larger degree on maintaining his bicycle on a straighter course. But he could not see them coming; and because of wind noise, he could not hear them approaching.
When riding into a head wind, or on a fast descent, or when leading a break in bike racing, wind roar entirely blankets out all other sound. Most cyclists forget this in the roar and heat of the moment. They ride along their usual path, along a no straighter path than usual. They are oblivious to a close by overtaking vehicle—which they haven't perceived. They are somewhat startled when they see the motor vehicle within an arm's length from them. They didn't realize that the vehicle could immediately appear so closely without warning. They completely failed to perceive its approach.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to disclose an ear wind shield for cyclists so that they can hear proximate noise which they normally would hear, and which they expect to hear. It is an object of this invention to improve cycling safety by facilitating the perception of normal road noise when a wind is rushing over and around a cyclist. It is yet a further object of this invention to draw attention to a problem which is generally unperceived as a problem; and finally to disclose a simple and effective solution to that problem.
One aspect of this invention provides for a method of alleviating the sound masking effects of wind noise on a cyclist comprising the steps of: designing an ear cover shield having a generally smooth exterior side; positioning the cover shield adjacent to but generally spaced from an ear of the cyclist so that wind is generally deflected from the ear so that the noise of air rushing over the ear is substantially reduced, and the cyclist is better able to hear proximate sound—especially that sound generated from directions which he cannot readily see; and, employing position maintenance means to hold the shield in position with respect to the ear.
A preferred aspect of this invention comprises a method which is only applicable when a cyclist is wearing a safety helmet. In this preferred method the position maintenance means comprisess a strap on the bicycle safety helmet.
Various other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4437538 (1984-03-01), Ohlsson et al.
patent: 4944361 (1990-07-01), Lindgren et al.
patent: 5148887 (1992-09-01), Murphy
patent: 5691514 (1997-11-01), Landis
patent: 5691515 (1997-11-01), Landis
Gallinger G. F.
Lockett Kim
Nappi Robert E.
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